Flood mitigation and pipe freeze prevention systems for use in a structure

Abstract

A system for controlling water delivery in to and out from a structure. A plurality of sensors disposed within the structure determine one or both of a water leak from a water delivery system within the structure and a temperature. A transmitter associated with each one of the plurality of sensors transmits a signal to a controller, the signal indicates a water leak from the water delivery system or a temperature below a predetermined value. A plurality of valves within the structure control the flow of water in to the structure, out from the structure, and within the structure. The controller receives the signal and responsive thereto opens or closes one or more valves to stop water delivery into the structure, to drain water out from the structure, or to control water delivery within the structure.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A system for controlling water delivery in to and out from a structure, the system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors disposed within the structure for determining one or both of a water leak from a water delivery system within the structure and a temperature; 
 a transmitter associated with each one of the plurality of sensors for transmitting a signal to a controller, the signal indicating a water leak from the water delivery system or a temperature below a predetermined value; 
 a shutdown valve for controlling the flow of water into the structure; 
 a pipe freeze mitigation valve for controlling the flow of water out from the structure; 
 a plurality of valves at different locations within the structure for directing the flow of water within the structure; 
 the controller for receiving the signal and responsive thereto for closing the shutdown valve to prevent water from entering the structure, or for opening the pipe freeze mitigation valve to drain water from the structure, or for closing one or more of the plurality of valves to control water delivery to different locations within the structure; 
 a shutdown override valve oriented in parallel fluid flow with the shutdown valve and controllable to an open state for overriding a dosed state of the shutdown valve; 
 a pipe freeze mitigation override valve oriented in serial fluid flow with the pipe freeze mitigation valve and controllable to a dosed state for overriding an o en state of the pipe freeze mitigation valve; and 
 responsive to a loss of power to the structure, the shutdown valve is closed to stop the flow of water into the structure and the pipe freeze mitigation valve is opened to drain water from the structure. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1  the shutdown override valve controllable to the open state manually or by action of the controller. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1  the pipe freeze mitigation override valve controllable to the closed state manually or by action of the controller. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1  wherein the temperature comprises ambient air temperature within the structure or water temperature within the water delivery system. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1  wherein in response to a signal indicating a temperature below a predetermined value, the controller opens the pipe freeze mitigation valve to permit water to drain from the structure. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1  wherein one or more of the plurality of sensors detects a water leak condition within the structure, and responsive thereto the controller controls the shutdown valve to stop water flow into the structure. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1  wherein one or more of the plurality of sensors determines a water leak condition or a pipe freeze condition within an area of the structure, and responsive thereto the controller controls one or more of the plurality of valves to stop water flow into the area of the structure. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1  wherein the transmitter associated with each one of the plurality of sensors transmits to the controller over a wired or a wireless communications link. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1  further comprising a power sensor, wherein when the power sensor detects a loss of power to the structure the controller causes the shutdown valve to close or causes the pipe freeze mitigation valve to open. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1  responsive to a loss of power to the structure, the controller signals closing of the shutdown valve to stop the flow of water into the structure or signals opening of the pipe freeze mitigation valve to drain water from the structure. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1  the controller for sending a text message, for sending an email, or for initiating a robot-call to one or more programmed telephone numbers, indicating detection of water accumulation and closure of the shutdown valve, or for sending a text message, for sending an email, or for initiating a robot-call to one or more programmed phone numbers, indicating detection of predetermined temperature and opening of the pipe freeze mitigation valve. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1  the shutdown valve comprising a first receiver, the pipe freeze mitigation valve comprising a second receiver, and each one of the plurality of valves comprising a third receiver, the first receiver, the second receiver, and each one of the third receivers for receiving a signal from the controller to control a state of the respective valve. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1  the controller storing a plurality of sensor threshold values for use in controlling the shutdown valve or for controlling the pipe freeze mitigation valve. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 1  further comprising a human interface screen for displaying a system status and for use in programming the system. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 1  further comprising a wireless repeater for amplifying signals between and among each one of the plurality of sensors, the shutdown valve, the pipe freeze mitigation valve, and the controller. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 1  at least one of the plurality of sensors located in an area of the structure where a leak in the water delivery system may occur and at least another one of the plurality of sensors located in an area of the structure where water may freeze within a pipe of the water delivery system. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 1  the controller for causing issuance of a warning when the shutdown override valve is in an open state or the pipe freeze mitigation override valve is in a closed state. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of pressure sensors disposed on the water delivery system for providing a water pressure value to the controller. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 1  wherein the controller is aware of the state of the shutdown valve, the pipe freeze mitigation valve, the shutdown override valve and the pipe freeze mitigation override valve.